News Headlines

The lack of black football managers is a problem that won't go away

About a quarter of players are black, but just two out of 92 league clubs in England currently employ a non-white managerThe number of black managers in English professional football has doubled – to a grand total of two – after it was announced on Thursday that Paul Ince would be...

The more I hear of the World Cup bid the more I like bog-snorkelling | Paul Wilson

England's attempt to stage the 2018 World Cup is mired in talk of bent votes, legacies and Trevor Brooking's big planThe more I see of people, the better I like my dog. So Frederick the Great is supposed to have said, although it is such a splendid sentiment at least a dozen other people have...

On Song: Cardiff City's Jay Bothroyd

With the help of a fan the Observer looks at an in-form Football League playerThe lowdownAt 28, the Islington-born Bothroyd has had eight clubs in a nomadic career. Highly rated at Arsenal, he was sold aged 18 to Coventry after throwing his shirt at the bench following his substitution in a youth...

Dundee FC really needs the Cameronians now | Kevin McKenna

Perhaps the greatest moment in this venerable football club's history happened 38 years ago in Cologne. Now it looks like its days are numberedIn whispered asides, it is known simply as "the Cologne Incident" by those who have seen the memorandum. Only defence chiefs of staff with the fabled level...

Said & Done | David Hills

Bungs in bears; charity news; Rio's feminine side; plus the week's best quotes from FifaMan of the weekManuel Burga – head of Peru's FA: says six Peru players who hired prostitutes at a casino after a defeat to Panama "lack morals". Burga: "This scandal is deeply painful. There's so much...

Nani secures United victory after referee misses helping hand

On a ground where they have not won since Gary Lineker scored in 1989, Tottenham Hotspur were undone again last night, this time amid much controversy. They claimed with some justification that Nani's bizarre goal in the 84th minute should never have been allowed, the only consolation being...

That's Roo told: Fergie admits 'we are not buying anybody'

Manchester United supporters hoping new signings will be made in January following Wayne Rooney's pleas to strengthen the squad will be disappointed. Sir Alex Ferguson says he has no intention of buying in the next transfer window, because new acquisitions would be ineligible for the Champions'...

Redknapp bemoans 'scandalous decision'

Sir Alex Ferguson's programme column spoke of the need for Manchester United to be "kicking on" in their pursuit of Chelsea. After Nani sealed a familiar fate for Tottenham at Old Trafford by kicking in after he had blatantly handled the ball, even the United manager admitted the goal was...